Diamonds revert to Aussie-style netball

The Diamonds are determined to impose their "Aussie style" of netball on New Zealand when the Constellation Cup starts in Auckland on Thursday.

The Kiwis have won the annual series just once in the competition's seven-year history, but go into Thursday's opening game of the four-match series full of confidence after a 57-47 win to secure the Quad Series in Invercargill last month.

World champions Australia have done of plenty of work since to counter the Silver Ferns' zonal style which caused them problems in their last meeting.

"We got very hesitant and a bit stagnant in our movement and in our passing, so it's going back to be confident," Diamonds midcourter Liz Watson said.

"Just go back to the Aussie way that we play. Looking back on that footage it's almost frustrating to see the little mistakes that we were making.

"It's no excuse at this level, so tidying up those little errors and just playing basic simple netball.

"I think we got a little bit carried away with almost a fancy style, or something a little bit more flairy.

"Just simple basic netball is what we're aiming for and keeping that Aussie style.

"Hopefully we get off to a great start and remain focused."

Australia made a terrible start in Invercargill, trailing 18-10 at the first break.

Recognising they will have few fans in Thursday's crowd, the Diamonds have worked on staying connected in a hostile and noisy environment.

"Going up around each other, giving each other hugs, lots of eye contact and staying tight knit," Watson said.

"I think in a hostile environment that's what we need to be doing, we don't have the crowd behind us helping us get that little extra one per cent.

"It is about staying connected right from the moment we walk into the stadium."